Posts from Hardware & Materials

Most of us love the idea of open kitchen shelving. It's a romantic sort of notion— being able to reach certain kitchen elements without having to open a door first. But as much as you might love the look, how do you know if you're ready to take the plunge? We've got four ways to tell if you're suited to the style.

Did you take a shower this morning? Me too. So what about citizens of some of the world's other countries? How do their shower habits stack up? These graphs will tell you and it's probably not what you think. In fact, you might just be pretty surprised by who is stretching their time between showers and which countries are soaping up on the regular.

One of my favorite new trends for the kitchen is big, bold, attention-getting tile. It's not just about subway tile anymore — there are lots of new players on the scene that can really transform the look of a space. We've rounded up ten kitchens with showstopping tile, and sources where you can buy the same (or similar) tile, to get the look in your own kitchen.

The bathroom is a place for experimentation. It's a small room, so even bold design moves seem a little more palatable. Small rooms are also cheap to finish, giving beer-budget types a chance to splurge on real champagne. And since you only spend a tiny fraction of your day in the bathroom, you can try out something daring and crazy, knowing it's easy to live with if you end up hating it.

I've always loved white marble countertops and I last wrote about them five years ago (43 comments BTW). They are bright, elegant, add character and are wonderful to cook on, particularly if you're baking. They can also be one of the cheapest stone solutions if you choose Carrara marble, making them a great choice if you're on an IKEA kitchen installation budget. However, many people are afraid of them due to the perception that they are high maintenance. This reputation is only partially deserved, and I want to share with you all the knowledge we've gathered over the years, so that you will feel much more confident of going this direction if it appeals to you.

The best shower organizer is the one that works best for you and your needs. Depending on the size and type of your shower, your bathroom, what your daily regimen is and how many products you have, some of these will work better for you than others.

Paint is a risky game, fraught with too lemon-y yellows, dingy whites, and boring neutrals. Before you rush out with visions of gallons of Marsala in your head, take a step back and really consider the room you're planning to paint. Run through this list of very important questions before you choose...